The Volkswagen Transporter has a cult following amongst car enthusiasts. This characterful German workhorse has been used as everything from cargo transportation to camper vans. In fact, it became something of a symbol during the 1960s ‘hippie movement’. Today it marks 70 years of ongoing production.
It has gone by several names over the decades, Bulli, Kombi, VW bus and microbus. Regardless of what you call the T series of vans, they are instantly recognisable as a piece of popular culture. The first T1 rolled off the production line on 8 March 1950. Six generations on and more than 13 million have been sold.
The T1 was produced in many specifications over a period of 17 years before it was replaced by the T2 in 1967. T2s were just as popular with 2.14 million being built, including a zero-emissions electric variant. In 1979 the T3 arrived with innovations such as diesel power and all-wheel drive. A T4 didn’t materialise until 1990, but it stuck around for some 13 years before a more modern T5 was launched in 2003. 2015 saw the launch of the most recent T6 which features more gadgets and technology than any other VW Bus before it.
The first Volkswagen Transporter officially arrived in the UK 60 years ago. Today Volkswagen Transporters are used by everyone from businesses, to those who relish taking their California camper on summer road trips. Early T1 and T2 examples are now sought-after collectors items with princely valuations for rare variants. A 1956 Volkswagen Deluxe '23-Window' Microbus sold at a 2019 RM Sotheby’s auction for $112,000 or over £90,000.
Here’s to the next 70 years of Volkswagen Transporter!
Keyword: Volkswagen Transporter celebrates 70th anniversary